Improved washing-machine



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rl. PETERS, PHOTOLITHOGRAPHEH. WASHINGTN. D. C.

NITED STATES PATENT GEEIcE.

IMPROVED WASHING-MACHINE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 57,922, dated September 11, 1866.

To all whom it mayconecm:

Beit known that I, G. H. KIDNEY, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ollio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and complete description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the/accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which* Figure l is a top view. Fig. 2 is a vertical section in the direction of the line X X in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a transverse section in the direction of the line X X.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several views.

A represents the case or tub, supported on legs B, which is of the form represented, the under side extending down from the ends a little on one side of the center.

G represents the beaters, connected to the crank-shaft C' by the connecting-rods D, the crank-shaft G indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l.

E represents the cover, which can be folded back, as represented in Fig. 2, and when closed will prevent the water from splashing out when in use, and also will keep out all dust and dirt when not in use.

Near the front of the case, extending from side to side, are two spring or pressure boards,

F. To these boards are secured the arms F',

which extend up from said boards, the shaft Gr passing through one end of the pieces, thus supporting the boards, which are allowed to move back and forth, as indicated by the dotted line a in Fig.`2, being forced back in position by means of the springs K K, one side of which is fastened to the pieces H H of the rack, and the other tothe arms F', said boards being hung, as stated, by the arms F' to the shaft.

The ends of this shaft rest in toothed pieces H H, one on each side of the case. These pieces fit on to other pieces, I, forming adjustable racks, which are fastened to the case. These pieces are for the purpose of moving the spring-boards, of which there may be one,

two, or more, either nearer to or farther from the beaters, according to the size of the clothes to be washed. A

When the machine is operated, by turning' the crank J, which turns the crank-shaft C', thus operating the beaters, each one moving independent of the others, as they move toward the spring-boards, the clothes will come between them and said boards, the end of these beaters being slanting, as shown by the dotted line a in Fig. 2, which brings the lower end nearer the beater than the upper end. By this means the clothes will turn up from the lower end and be thus rolled over and over in washing.

If the quantity of clothes is great pressing against the board, it will turn on the shaft and be pushed forward toward the end of the case.

The pieces H I being fixed, as stated, aecording to the clothes to be washed, the button b is turned down, as shown in Fig. 2, thus holding the piece H in place.

Vhen the spring boards are pressed back by the clothes it forces the water to the clothes, some of it passing through the holes in the spring-boards, thus completely wetting the clothes, and keeping them thoroughly Wet while the machine is in operation.

The piece H of the rack can be moved nearer to or farther from the beater and held in place by means of the piece I of the rack and button b, thus increasing or diminishing the distance of the spring-boards from the beaters, as desired, according to the quantity or texture of the clothes to be washed, the spring-boards being hung to the piece H of the rack by means of the shaft G.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, .is`

The adjustable racks H I, button Z, in combination with the pressure-boards F, springs K, and beater, as and for the purpose specified.

G. H. XIDNEY.

Witnesses:

W. H. BURRIDGE, J. HoLMEs. 

